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Human Imagination - Finite or Infinite?
Posted by urikalish • 5/09/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Human Imagination - Finite or Infinite?
User Comments
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Definitely, infinite! No one can ever measure or understand human imagination. It's endless... -
Ifinite, the possibilities are endless,:) -
I say finite.
One way to look at it: The number of neurons in your brain is very large, but finite; therefore the numbers of ideas you can think of is finite.
Another way to look at it: Any idea (no matter how imaginary) can be summarized in a 500 pages book. The number of permutations of English words that can be written in 500 pages is very large, but finite.-
I believe your thinking is flawed. A computer chip has numerous transistors but they are finite, as is the processing power. However, the instruction variations that it can process is infinite.
Human imagination is not a constant or a variable. It is immeasurable. It is variations of ideas, some known and some not known. If it is finite, whare does it end? -
If you're talking about meaningless programs then you may be right, but meaningful programs (like the ones I'm writing at work) usually have a functional specification document written by a functional architect - let's say 500 pages max...?
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Mind thoughts are constantly evolving as they give rise to new innovations and inventions and vice versa - if this were not so technology would cease to exist but new scientific and medical breakthroughs continue at an increasing rate; that is, the totality of the human mind is infinite if not limited by artificial time constraints.
The selection process begins after the initial onset of the rapid production of ideas in which the mind is stimulated with an attitude of imagination utilizing various paths and possibilities. Hence the biodiversity of human ideas incorporates the various levels or hierarchy starting with the biological level; i.e., the genetic (molecular), the biological (organizational) and the habitat (ecological). Then ideas are further generated and diversified and reflected at the social level; i.e., diversity of cultures, languages, interpretations of religion, superstitions, ethics, aesthetics, art and music, different ideologies, political and legal systems. Our emotions are key components to the way we develop ideas but to what degree is not well understood.
Bioethics and Human Mental Mapping: Are Ideas Finite or Infinite -- Irina Pollard, Ph.D. eubios.info/EJ134/ej134e.htm-
The fact that we can still come up with new ideas every day, does not disprove that someday we may run out of fresh ideas.
We can still come up with new 4-minutes-songs every day. How long this can last?
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Are you asking about the imagination of one individual, or all humans over an indefinite period of time?-
It sounds to me like the ol' "Infinite Number of Monkeys on Typewriters" concept-- indicating eventually, with an infinite number of monkeys on an infinite number of typewriters one of them will inadvertently rewrite one of Shakespeare's works. -
I was thinking more along the lines of imagination being affected by biological or genetic circumstances, and environment. The imagination of one individual may be large, but limited due to limited knowledge, but the total sum of imaginations by indefinite amounts of people who may or may not evolve genetically over a period of time, and certainly have different environments - all over an indefinite span of time - would tell us that imagination is indefinite, rather than finite.
Or, perhaps, I should say the potential for imagination - as I'm sure some common things will be rehashed time and time again
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Definitely finite. We can only imagine what we can experience with human sensations. This puts a limit on our experiences and imagination. -
Infinite is meaningless in this context. The definition of infinite is limited to what we can imagine we understand about the notion of infinity.
Most every proposition is true, false and meaningless at the same time...
Finite is meaningless as well. We are again limited to what we can imagine we understand about the notion of the finite. We have never really measured the finite but settle for close approximations.
We all can imagine an "inch" as a finite amount of space. Not many of us have actually experienced a true finite inch. The ruler in your desk in only an aproximation of an inch. There is no way that it is physically possible for the printing press to produce a perfect print job even if you were able to produce a perfect scale.
What we come to belive is a finite inch is really a figment of our imagination.
We don't want to think about the fact that we can't even measure an inch much less detect psychick energy radiating from the hands of a healer.
I am a huge fan of the imagination. It trumps smug certainty everytime.-
"We all can imagine an "inch" as a finite amount of space. Not many of us have actually experienced a true finite inch. The ruler in your desk in only an aproximation of an inch. There is no way that it is physically possible for the printing press to produce a perfect print job even if you were able to produce a perfect scale."
I don't agree. I say none of us have experienced a perfect inch or meter. That is the Kripkean problem of the metre of Paris. It's an example of statement that is both contingent and a priori. But it's still finite. I don't see a problem here. -
Didn't get that inch argument...?
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Maybe because it is simply not related to this conjecture. That is what I tried to explain in my answer. The perfect meter (or inch...) is a contemporary problem of aprioricity, not finitude.
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Fractal! Like the shore of the ocean whose length changes depending on how big a yardstick you use to measure it. You'll always find a refinement and a twist to the imagination. -
Well, I can't imagine any limits to the human imagination.
Which means, it is finite.-
Well done!
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Given we are not masters of our destiny, finite. -
Finite, definitely.
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As Georges Sorel said, all that is best in the human mind comes from the "torture of the infinite."-
desire to be infinite constrained by human finitude
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The temptation to over-define, as we know it, is strong. I say, infinity? On and on. On and on. On and on. -
Human imagination is limited by his own (imaginations) perceptions.. though it's infinite, there's some limit due to not everyone being same..
- Wakish - -
Human imagination is the ability for the individual to visualize things and actions within his or her mind that have never existed, do not yet exist, or may never exist. Hence, one could easily argue that without human imagination there could be no belief in the supernatural; Gods, devils, angels, religions, myths, stories, etc.
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"...one could easily argue that without human imagination there could be no belief in the supernatural; Gods, devils, angels, religions..."
- I'm starting to think imagination is a bad thing... -
Also without imagination there would be no light bulbs, computers, internet or BC.
WHAT!! NO BC!!! HOW WILL WE SURVIVE!?!?!?!
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This all reminds me of Xeno's paradox, which really hasn't been a paradox since calculus was invented.
So far, I've seen differing definitions of imagination and infinity (incidentally, infinity-1 still equals infinity). I guess it all hinges on those definitions.
When I consider math, for instance, I know that mathematicians deal with infinity all the time, but they deal with it in very finite ways. -
Probably.
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I'm with you Urikalish... I also think finite... but the domain is quite large, therefore, appears infinite because people can't see to the other side. But just scarcity of resources alone means that it's likely to be finite... because ingenuity is ultimately about permutations of applied resources...
However, I am a believer in the phrase, "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." -
I have nothing to say, I just want to hang out in here with all of you smart people. -
I missed you Chelle but, keep those cootie leftovers to yourself though, eh?
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Thanks and I promise to not cough, sneeze or spit on you when I talk.
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The semantics of definitions make this question difficult to answer...
It would seem logical that the human brain has finite capabilities but currently it is infinitely impossible to measure the hypothetical finite capabilities of the human brain... -
You still never answered my question, Uri. The imagination of one individual, over his or her lifetime, or the imagination of all humans, over and indefinite amount of time?
It makes a difference in my answer, you know! -
same here, need that clarification to answer. -
I had no idea who I was talking to here....no changing your avatar, dammit!
Jes' kidding. What do you think, is this a free for all philosophical buffet, or does he have a specific venue here? -
I think it's finite either way.
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But is it?
How can something which exists in infinite form and time frames be finite, unless you are only talking about finite time frames and forms?
Just because we can't imagine it now, doesn't mean they can't imagine it when.
Actually, I can imagine it...so what does that mean? -
What exist in infinite form and time frames?
I'm talking about one individuals mind. For one, it is dependent on the individuals brain. Second, That individuals brain and mind is conditioned by the individuals experiences. We think we can imagine a lot, but how would we know what we can't imagine since we can't imagine it.
For example, an individual who didn't grow up in France can only imagine how they think they would have grown up in France if they were born there based on the conditions of the experiences they did have living in the country they were born in and anything they know about France. A person who really grew up in France would have a different imagination based on their experiences. In both cases, their imagination is dependent upon their conditioning from experiences and how their biology reacts to that. We are transient finite creatures, and our imaginations are limited. -
Yup, I agree with that! But what happens when you look at imagination collectively?
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Even then, I think it is still limited to human perspective. Do we know if other animals have imaginations? If they do, I doubt humans would be able to imagine things the same way as other animals do from their perspective.
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I agree, but I am looking at imagination and not the people who are imagining. (or animals, whatever). If infinite amounts of people are using their imagination, over an indefinite, or infinite period of time, then imagination would never cease to evolve, change, grow, expand, and the potential for infinite unique thoughts and imaginative thoughts is plausible.
Making imagination itself, infinite. Regardless of how finite the imaginers are.
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@Anok
I'm eagerly awaiting the answer too ... the totality of the human mind is infinite if not limited by artificial time constraints. -
Infinite. The brain can only go so far. After that, it's up to someone else.-
wouldn't that be finite then?
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I truly meant to say finite. Darn it. I let the fingers do the walking and they messed up. I should have used my brain.
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LSD throws a wrench in everyone's theory, doesn't it?
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That made me laugh out loud, as in really out loud!
Hehehehehe.... -
I think it just goes to show that it is dependent upon external stimuli, experience, conditioning, etc... and therefore is finite since one individual can't experience every possible experience.
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Hey, I was TRYING to be serious!
OK, not really but it is a valid question nonetheless. -
Ah, but can they? With LSD, anything is possible.....
Erm, I mean, right? It's possible, not like I would know -
Well, according to unnamed sources, apparently LSD can make you BELIEVE that your imagination is infinite, so that begs the question:
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(OK, someone smart insert a question here!)
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What's LSD?
How's that Chelle -
"unnamed sources" ... *snicker*
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@chelle
(OK, someone smart insert a question here!)
Insert -> How many times have you been kidnapped by aliens?-
Snort! Hehehehe
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TT ~ *sigh*
I only wish they found me worthy.
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I would say that it is infinite because one can think things that are still considered as unthinkable..... -
Infinite...eh... without LSD which makes you think you have found deep revelation that when you come down turns out to be nonsense !!! :=)-
Ah, my unnamed sources concur with this theory of yours.
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Human imagination is infinite as long as there are human beings with an imaginative capacity. The idea that enough monkeys pounding away at typewriters will eventually produce the Collected Works of Shakespeare is simply ludicrous because imagination without intent is quite simply a misnomer. Further, to compare human consciousness to a silicon chip is an equally flawed proposition as a computer chip is a passive instrument whereas human imagination is the creative/initiatory activity of consciousness. The very fact that humans can imagine infinitude as a concept is another obvious clue as to the limitless nature of human imagination. To sum up, the notion of a Quantity cannot be applied to Imagination which is a Faculty and not an Object, therefore the mathematical rules appropriate to Number finitude are simply not applicable to human imagination. Which makes this whole question nonsensical. -
All I can add to all this is...Wow!!! I never really stopped to think about this, now my only worry, is I hope when I try and sleep tonight that all these answers don't start racing through my head! I just hate that!
I truly believe there is no limit to human imagination, because just when someone thinks "it can't get any better then this" or "what else can possibly be discovered"...a whole new generation of ideas start...imagination never ends, it only improves with time! -
How would we know what we can't imagine since we can't imagine it? And if we don't know that, how can we determine our imaginations finiteness?
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We can look to history, and evolution of imagination via inventions, technology, humanitarian progress, literature, art, music, and so forth.
When we see the pattern of "new and improved" means of societal advancement and progress we can reasonably predict the same level of progress in the future, multiplying upon itself indefinitely over an infinite existence, giving us a feasible equation to help us understand that imagination, ingenuity, and invention will continue to progress beyond what we can imagine now.
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Its definitely infinite..Im a chess player and I experience the power of human mind when calculating deep variations and analysis of the games and I have proven it! -
Its definitely infinite..Im a chess player and I experience the power of human mind when calculating deep variations and analysis of the games and I have proven it!
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